“This Book Is Free and Yours to Keep: Notes from the Appalachian Prison Book Project,” which highlights the crucial work done by the Appalachian Prison Book Project and was published by the WVU Press, was recently selected by the Appalachian Studies Association for the 2024 Weatherford Award in Nonfiction.
The Weatherford Awards are presented jointly by the ASA and Berea College to recognize publications that illuminate the challenges, personalities and unique qualities of the Appalachian South.
Described as deeply moving — and even devastating at times — the book provides rare insight into everyday life in prisons through the words and imagery of those who are imprisoned. Racism, poverty, violence and incarceration are among the topics addressed in the letters and artwork, prompting broader conversation and inspiration for prison book projects, prison reform and abolition.
The book reflects the impactful work of the Appalachian Prison Book Project, a nonprofit that provides educational opportunities and resources to those incarcerated in West Virginia and the surrounding Appalachian region. Through APBP, imprisoned individuals are provided access to books, college courses and the opportunity to publish their work.
Letters and artwork featured in the book were collected through the APBP’s initiatives across the region. Book editors include WVU English professor Katy Ryan, who originally launched the APBP project in a 2004 graduate course; WVU English doctoral student Destinee Harper; APBP board members Connie Banta and Ellen Skirvin; and APBP volunteer Kristin DeVault-Juelfs.
Like the APBP, which has mailed over 70,000 books to incarcerated individuals with the help of volunteers since 2004, “‘This Book Is Free and Yours to Keep’ was a collaborative effort among many dedicated individuals,” Ryan said.
“We wanted this to be a book rooted in Appalachia, so this recognition really means the world to all the contributors and co-editors who have dedicated their time and hearts to the work,” Ryan added. “We hope it brings more people into the work of the APBP and encourages conversation on educational justice efforts as a requisite component to building sustainable restorative justice models.”
The book was selected for the Weatherford Award from a group of 21 other nominees in the nonfiction category.
One judge described the book as a “wonderful exploration of the human spirit,” noting how it vividly illustrates human curiosity and the desire from incarcerated individuals to learn, avoid boredom and shed light on topics seldom discussed within the prison system.
“The folks who lead and volunteer for the APBP deserve an incredible amount of credit,” Than Saffel, director of the WVU Press, said. “It is their dedication to the essential work of APBP that inspired each of us at the WVU Press.”
Saffel described “This Book Is Free and Yours to Keep” as emblematic of the mission of the WVU Press to publish books and scholarly journals by authors around the world on topics of global significance, but to also focus on the inspiring work being created in West Virginia on topics in Appalachian studies, history, higher education, social science and more.
As West Virginia’s largest publisher and sole university press, the WVU Press serves a unique and critical role at WVU and across the state.
Titles published through the Press have received national recognition and awards from The New York Times, Smithsonian, Publishers Weekly, Vox and the Huffington Post, among many other regional and global outlets.
The book was recognized during the Appalachian Studies Association annual meeting in Cookeville, Tennessee, in mid-March.
“This Book Is Free and Yours to Keep” is available through the WVU Press website.